Multi-cell electrochromic devices

ABSTRACT

A multi-cell electrochromic device comprising: first and second electrochromic device sub-assemblies which each comprise; a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith and second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates, wherein the electrochromic medium comprises: at least one solvent; at least one anodic electroactive material; at least one cathodic electroactive material; wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein the first and second electrochromic device sub-assemblies are in optical alignment, and further wherein the multi-cell electrochromic device exhibits a transmittance of less than approximately 1.5% in a low transmission state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/343,278, filed Jan. 30, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/648,142, filed Jan. 28, 2005, all ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety,including all references cited therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to electrochromic devices, and,more particularly, to a multi-cell electrochromic device having morethan one electrochromic device sub-assembly configured in opticalalignment.

2. Background Art

Electrochromic devices have been known in the art for several years.Furthermore, the utilization of two electrochromic devices in opticalalignment has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,673, entitled“Prolonged Coloration Electrochromic Assembly,” which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety (hereinafter sometimesreferred to as the '673 patent). However, to the best of Applicant'sknowledge the '673 patent discloses electrochromic devices which areconfigured to color alternately, that is one electrochromic devicecolors while the second electrochromic device is cleared. The opticallyaligned devices are configured in such a way that light impacting thefront surface of the device passes through both electrochromic media.While the above-identified patent teaches that a plurality ofelectrochromic devices, or device cells, can be configured to reducecolor segregation in an electrochromic device that is intentionallycolored for prolonged periods of time, the '673 patent is void of anyadequate disclosure relative to the beneficial effects associated withsimultaneously coloring and clearing a multi-cell electrochromic devicehaving more than one electrochromic device sub-assembly.

By way of background, it will be understood that in a traditionallyconfigured single compartment, solution phase, electrochromic device,which consists of two planar electrodes having an electrochromic mediumcontained between the two electrodes, the clearing time of theelectrochromic device increases as the cell spacing or distance betweenthe two planar electrodes increases. It will be further understood that,conversely, the current required to maintain a colored state withtransmission below the highest transmission of the electrochromic devicedecreases as the cell spacing increases. For relatively small areaelectrochromic devices, such as automotive mirrors, the conductivity oftransparent conductive coatings is sufficiently high to allow for themanufacture of commercially acceptable electrochromic devices—(i.e. theelectrochromic devices color and clear (or cycle) in sufficiently shorttimes because the cell spacing is relatively small, less thanapproximately 0.3 mm, while the electrochromic device uniformly colorsand clears.

By way of contrast, however, in large area electrochromic devices, suchas architectural windows or windows for transportation vehicles, if thesame cell spacing is used the resistive losses associated with theconductive coatings can lead to a potential in the center of the largearea electrochromic device that is less than the potential at the edgeof the large area electrochromic device (e.g. near the electricalcontact point) which can facilitate problematic, non-uniform colorationof such a large area electrochromic device.

One method used to overcome such a problem is to increase the cellspacing between the two traditional electrodes while, at the same time,decreasing the concentration of electrochromic materials in the medium.While such a solution leads to large area devices that color uniformly,the time required to clear the device can be quite long, which for someapplications of electrochromic windows is problematic.

The concentration of electrochromic materials in the medium as is taughtin U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,620, entitled “Electrochromic Media WithConcentration-Enhanced Stability, Process For The Preparation ThereofAnd Use In Electrochromic Devices,” which is hereby incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the'620 patent) also impacts the steady state current of a singlecompartment, solution phase, electrochromic device, as well as theultimate coloration the device can achieve. In some applications thedevice has a desired low-end light transmission of less thanapproximately 0.5% requiring a larger concentration of electrochromicmaterials in the medium. Devices that are able to obtain these very darklow end transmission levels are also perceived as being quite slow toclear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a multi-cell electrochromic devicewhich comprises at least two electrochromic device sub-assemblies inoptical alignment, such that both device sub-assemblies can be coloredand cleared simultaneously leading to darker or deeper coloration and afaster clearing time than a single cell electrochromic device withessentially the same optical properties.

The present invention is also directed to a multi-cell electrochromicdevice comprising first and second transparent substrates with a definedspace between the first and second substrate as well as additionalsubstrates and defined spaces between each of the intermediate as wellas the first and second substrates, wherein each of the defined spacesincludes an electroactive and/or electrochromic medium.

The multi-cell devices of the present invention can be powered either inparallel or in a serial configuration, depending on the desired drivecircuitry. These and other objectives of the present invention willbecome apparent in light of the present specification, claims, anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a cross-sectional schematic representation ofa multi-cell electrochromic device fabricated in accordance with thepresent invention in a parallel configuration;

FIG. 2 of the drawings is a cross-sectional schematic representation ofa multi-cell electrochromic device fabricated in accordance with thepresent invention in a serial configuration;

FIG. 3 of the drawings is a cross-sectional schematic representation ofa multi-cell electrochromic device fabricated with the device cells orsub-assemblies in a parallel configuration in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 4 of the drawings is a cross-sectional schematic representation ofa multi-cell electrochromic device fabricated with the device cells orsub-assemblies in a serial configuration in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, across-sectional schematic representation of multi-cell electrochromicdevice 10 is shown, which generally comprises electrochromic devicesub-assemblies 100, 200, and 300. Electrochromic device sub-assembly 100generally comprises first substrate 112 having front surface 112A andrear surface 112B, second substrate 114 having front surface 114A andrear surface 114B, and chamber 116 for containing electrochromic medium124. It will be understood that electrochromic device sub-assemblies 200and 300, among others, comprise analogous members to those provided withrespect to electrochromic device sub-assembly 100 and are numberedaccordingly. For example, electrochromic medium 224 of electrochromicdevice sub-assembly 200 and electrochromic medium 324 of electrochromicdevice sub-assembly 300 are analogous to electrochromic medium 124 ofelectrochromic device sub-assembly 100. It will be further understoodthat any one of a number of electrochromic device sub-assemblies (e.g.1-10) can be further associated with the structures shown and that thediscussion of three electrochromic device sub-assemblies can be extendedto multiple electrochromic layers. The multi-cell or stack ofelectrochromic devices may comprise, for illustrative purposes only, amirror, an architectural window, an aircraft window or transparency, adisplay device, a contrast enhancement filter, and the like. It will befurther understood that FIG. 1 is merely a schematic representation ofmulti-cell electrochromic device 10. As such, some of the componentshave been distorted from their actual scale for pictorial clarity.

Substrates 112, 212, and 312 may be fabricated from any one of a numberof materials that are transparent or substantially transparent in thevisible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as, for example,borosilicate glass, soda lime glass, float glass, natural and syntheticpolymeric resins, plastics, and/or composites including Topas® which iscommercially available from Ticona of Summit, N.J. While particularsubstrate materials have been disclosed, for illustrative purposes only,it will be understood that numerous other substrate materials arelikewise contemplated for use—so long as the materials are at leastsubstantially transparent and exhibit appropriate physical properties,such as strength, to be able to operate effectively in conditions ofintended use. Indeed, electrochromic devices in accordance with thepresent invention can be, during normal operation, exposed to extremetemperature variation as well as substantial UV radiation, emanatingprimarily from the sun.

Substrates 114, 214, and 314 may be fabricated from similar materials asthat of first substrate 112. However, if the electrochromic device is amirror, then the requisite of substantial transparency is not necessary.As such, substrates 114, 214 and/or 314 may, alternatively, comprisepolymers, metals, glass, and ceramics—to name a few. If the substratesare fabricated from sheets of glass, then the glass can optionally betempered, heat strengthened, and/or chemically strengthened, prior to orsubsequent to being coated with layers of electrically conductivematerial (118, 218, 318, 120, 220, and 320). For electrochromic devicesub-assembly 100, one or more layers of electrically conductive material118 are associated with rear surface 112B of first substrate 112. Theselayers serve as an electrode for the electrochromic device. Electricallyconductive material 118 is desirably a material that: (a) issubstantially transparent in the visible region of the electromagneticspectrum; (b) bonds reasonably well to first substrate 112; (c)maintains this bond when associated with a sealing member; (d) isgenerally resistant to corrosion from materials contained within theelectrochromic device or the atmosphere; and (e) exhibits minimaldiffusion or specular reflectance as well as sufficient electricalconductance. It is contemplated that electrically conductive material118 may be fabricated from fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO), for exampleTEC glass, which is commercially available from Libbey Owens-Ford-Co.,of Toledo, Ohio, indium/tin oxide (ITO), doped zinc oxide or othermaterials known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

Substrates 112 and 114 of electrochromic device sub-assembly 100, aswell as those relating to electrochromic device subassemblies 200 and300, are preferably fabricated from a sheet of glass having a thicknessranging from approximately 0.5 millimeters (mm) to approximately 12.7mm, and more preferably less than approximately 1 mm for certain lowweight applications. Of course, the thickness of the substrate willdepend largely upon the particular application of the multi-cellelectrochromic device.

Additionally, the substrates of the present invention can be treated orcoated as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,898, entitled“Electrochromic Structures,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,378, entitled“Electrochromic Device Having A Self-Cleaning Hydrophilic Coating,” andU.S. Pat. No. 6,816,297, entitled “Electrochromic Mirror Having ASelf-Cleaning Hydrophilic Coating,” the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety including thereferences cited therein. Other treatments, such as anti-reflectancecoatings, hydrophilic coatings, low-E coatings, and UV-blocking layersare also contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention.

Electrically conductive material 120 is preferably associated with frontsurface 114A of second substrate 114, and is operatively bonded toelectrically conductive material 118 by sealing member 122. As can beseen in FIG. 1, once bonded, sealing member 122 and the juxtaposedportions of electrically conductive materials 118 and 120 serve todefine an inner peripheral geometry of chamber 116. Electricallyconductive material 120 may vary depending upon the intended use of theelectrochromic device. For example, if the electrochromic device is amirror, then the material may comprise a transparent conductive coatingsimilar to electrically conductive material 118 (in which case areflector can be associated with rear surface 114B of second substrate114). Alternatively, electrically conductive material 120 may comprise alayer of reflective material in accordance with the teachings of U.S.Pat. No. 5,818,625, entitled “Electrochromic Rearview MirrorIncorporating A Third Surface Metal Reflector” and U.S. Pat. No.6,597,489, entitled “Electrode Design For Electrochromic Devices,” allof which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.In this case, electrically conductive material 120 is associated withfront surface 114A of second substrate 114. Typical coatings for thistype of reflector include chromium, ruthenium, rhodium, silver, silveralloys, combinations, and stacked layers thereof.

Sealing member 122 may comprise any material that is capable of beingadhesively bonded to the electrically conductive materials 118 and 120to, in turn, seal chamber 116 so that electrochromic medium 124 does notinadvertently leak out of the chamber. As is shown in dashed lines inFIG. 1, it is also contemplated that the sealing member extend all theway to rear surface 112B and front surface 114A of their respectivesubstrates. In such an embodiment, the layers of electrically conductivematerial 118 and 120 may be partially removed where the sealing member122 is positioned. If electrically conductive materials 118 and 120 arenot associated with their respective substrates, then sealing member 122preferably bonds well to glass. It will be understood that sealingmember 122 can be fabricated from any one of a number of materialsincluding, for example, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,401,entitled “Liquid Crystal Display And Photopolymerizable SealantTherefore,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,102, entitled “Liquid Crystal DisplaysHaving Improved Hermetic Seal,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,490, entitled “SealFor Liquid Crystal Display,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,023, entitled “SealingMaterial For Liquid Crystal Display Panel, And Liquid Crystal DisplayPanel Using It,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,024, entitled “Sealing CompositionFor Liquid Crystal,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,157,480, entitled “Seal ForElectrochromic Devices,” all of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

Multi-cell electrochromic device 10 further includes means of providingelectrical contact to the electrochromic medium, such as bus clips (132,142, 232, 242, 332, and/or 342) that are associated with theirrespective layers of electrically conductive material (i.e. electrodes)as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,407,847, entitled “ElectrochromicMedium Having A Color Stability,” which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. By way of example, bus clips thus enableelectrical current to flow between an external driving circuit throughfirst and second electrodes 118 and 120 and electrochromic medium 124contained in chamber 116 therebetween. In this manner, the lighttransmittance of electrochromic device sub-assembly 100 may be varied inresponse to the electrical control of an external drive circuit. It willbe understood that bus clips may be made of any known constructionand/or known materials. One possible construction for bus clips isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,064,509, entitled “Clip For Use WithTransparent Conductive Electrodes In Electrochromic Devices” thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Additionally electrical contact may be provided byconventional conductive inks, metal foils, and the like, such as areused in electrochromic mirrors with a metallic ring that is visiblearound the perimeter of the mirror as is disclosed in U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/614,150, entitled “Vehicular Rearview MirrorElements and Assemblies Incorporating These Elements,” which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

For purposes of the present disclosure, electrochromic medium 124comprises at least one solvent, an anodic material, and a cathodicmaterial, preferably associated with a cross-linked polymer matrix, afree-standing gel, and/or a substantially non-weeping gel as isdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. [To Be Assigned] entitled“Electrochromic Medium Having A Self-Healing, Cross-Linked PolymerMatrix and Associated Electrochromic Device,” U.S. Pat. No. 7,001,540,entitled “Electrochromic Medium Having A Self-Healing, Cross-LinkedPolymer Gel and Associated Electrochromic Device,” and U.S. Pat. No.6,635,194, entitled “Electrochromic Medium Having A Self-Healing,Cross-Linked Polymer Gel and Associated Electrochromic Device,” all ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entiretyincluding the references cited therein.

Typically both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactiveand at least one of them is electrochromic. It will be understood thatregardless of its ordinary meaning, the term “electroactive” will bedefined herein as a material that undergoes a modification in itsoxidation state upon exposure to a particular electrical potentialdifference. Furthermore, it will be understood that the term“electrochromic” will be defined herein, regardless of its ordinarymeaning, as a material that exhibits a change in its extinctioncoefficient at one or more wavelengths upon exposure to a particularelectrical potential difference.

Electrochromic medium 124 is preferably chosen from one of the followingcategories:

(1) Single-layer, single-phase—The electrochromic medium may comprise asingle-layer of material which may include small non-homogenous regionsand includes solution-phase devices where a material may be contained insolution in the ionically conducting electrolyte which remains insolution in the electrolyte when electrochemically oxidized or reduced.Solution phase electroactive materials may be contained in thecontinuous solution-phase of a gel medium in accordance with theteachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,572, entitled “Electrochromic Layer AndDevices Comprising Same,” and International Patent Application SerialNumber PCT/US98/05570, entitled “Electrochromic Polymeric Solid Films,Manufacturing Electrochromic Devices Using Such Solid Films, AndProcesses For Making Such Solid Films And Devices,” both of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

More than one anodic and cathodic material can be combined to give apre-selected color as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,998,617, entitled“Electrochromic Compounds,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,987, entitled“Electrochromic Medium Capable Of Producing A Pre-selected Color,” U.S.Pat. No. 6,037,471, entitled “Electrochromic Compounds,” and U.S. Pat.No. 6,141,137, entitled “Electrochromic Media For Producing APreselected Color,” all of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

The anodic and cathodic materials may also be combined or linked by abridging unit as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,916, entitled“Electrochromic System” and/or United States Patent Publication No.2002/00152214 A1, entitled “Electrochromic Device,” which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The electrochromicmaterials may also include near infrared (NIR) absorbing compounds asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,912, entitled “Near Infrared-AbsorbingElectrochromic Compounds And Devices Comprising Same” which is alsohereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

It is also possible to link anodic materials or cathodic materials bysimilar methods. The concepts described in these patents can further becombined to yield a variety of electroactive materials that are linkedor coupled, including linking of a redox buffer such as linking of acolor-stabilizing moiety to an anodic and/or cathodic material.

The anodic and cathodic electrochromic materials can also includecoupled materials as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,369, entitled“Coupled Electrochromic Compounds With Photostable Oxidation States,”which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The concentration of the electrochromic materials can be selected astaught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,620, entitled “Electrochromic Media WithConcentration Enhanced Stability, Process For The Preparation Thereof,and Use In Electrochromic Devices” the entirety of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. Additionally, a single-layer,single-phase medium may include a medium where the anodic and cathodicmaterials are incorporated into a polymer matrix as is described inInternational Patent Application Serial Number PCT/EP98/03862, entitled“Electrochromic Polymer System” which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety, and International Patent Application SerialNumber PCT/US98/05570, entitled “Electrochromic Polymeric Solid Films,Manufacturing Electrochromic Devices Using Such Solid Films, AndProcesses For Making Such Solid Films And Devices.”

(2) Multi-layer—The medium may be made up in layers and includes amaterial attached directly to an electrically conducting electrode orconfined in close proximity thereto which remains attached or confinedwhen electrochemically oxidized or reduced.

(3) Multi-phase—One or more materials in the medium undergoes a changein phase during the operation of the device. For example, a materialcontained in solution in the ionically conducting electrolyte forms alayer on the electrically conducting electrode when electrochemicallyoxidized or reduced.

In addition, electrochromic medium 124 may comprise other materials,such as light absorbers, light stabilizers, thermal stabilizers,antioxidants, thickeners, viscosity modifiers, tint providing agents,redox buffers, electron shuttles, and mixtures thereof. Electronshuttles suitable for use in accordance with the present inventioninclude those disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,700,693 B2,entitled “Electrochromic Devices Having An Electron Shuttle,” and redoxbuffers suitable for use in accordance with the present inventioninclude those disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,188,505 B1,entitled “Color-Stabilized Electrochromic Devices,” which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. SuitableUV-stabilizers may include: the material ethyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate, sold by BASF of Parsippany, N.Y., under the trademark UvinulN-35 and by Aceto Corp., of Flushing, N.Y., under the trademark Viosorb910; the material (2-ethylhexyl)-2-cyano-3,3-diphenyl acrylate, sold byBASF under the trademark Uvinul N-539; the material2-(2′-hydroxy-4′-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, sold by Ciba-Geigy Corp.under the trademark Tinuvin P; the material3-[3-(2H-benzotriazole-2-yl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]propionicacid pentyl ester prepared from Tinuvin 213, sold by Ciba-Geigy Corp.,via conventional hydrolysis followed by conventional esterification(hereinafter “Tinuvin PE”); the material 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone soldby, among many others, Aldrich Chemical Co.; the material2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone sold by American Cyanamid under thetrademark Cyasorb UV 9; and the material 2-ethyl-2′-ethoxyalanilide soldby Sandoz Color & Chemicals under the trademark Sanduvor VSU—to name afew.

For purposes of the present invention, anodic materials may include anyone of a number of materials including ferrocene, substitutedferrocenes, substituted ferrocenyl salts, substituted phenazines,phenothiazine, substituted phenothiazines, thianthrene, substitutedthianthrenes. Examples of anodic materials may includedi-tert-butyl-diethylferrocene, 5,10-dimethyl-5,10-dihydrophenazine,3,7,10-trimethylpheno-thiazine, 2,3,7,8-tetramethoxythianthrene, and10-methylphenothiazine. It is also contemplated that the anodic materialmay comprise a polymer film, such as polyaniline, polythiophenes,polymeric metallocenes, or a solid transition metal oxide, including,but not limited to, oxides of vanadium, nickel, iridium, as well asnumerous heterocyclic compounds, etcetera. It will be understood thatnumerous other anodic materials are contemplated for use including thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,108, entitled “Single-Compartment,Self-Erasing, Solution-Phase Electrochromic Devices, Solutions For UseTherein, And Uses Thereof,” as well as U.S. Pat. No. 6,188,505 B1,entitled “Color-Stabilized Electrochromic Devices,” and U.S. Pat. No.6,710,906, entitled “Controlled Diffusion Coefficient ElectrochromicMaterials For Use In Electrochromic Mediums And AssociatedElectrochromic Devices,” all of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

Cathodic materials may include, for example, viologens, such as methylviologen tetrafluoroborate, octyl viologen tetrafluoroborate, or benzylviologen tetrafluoroborate. It will be understood that the preparationand/or commercial availability for each of the above-identified cathodicmaterials is well known in the art. See, for example, “The BipyridiniumHerbicides” by L. A. Summers (Academic Press 1980). While specificcathodic materials have been provided for illustrative purposes only,numerous other conventional cathodic materials are likewise contemplatedfor use including, but by no means limited to, those disclosed inpreviously referenced and incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,108, and U.S.Pat. No. 6,710,906, entitled “Controlled Diffusion CoefficientElectrochromic Materials For Use In Electrochromic Mediums AndAssociated Electrochromic Devices.” Moreover, it is contemplated thatthe cathodic material may comprise a polymer film, such as varioussubstituted polythiophenes, polymeric viologens, an inorganic film, or asolid transition metal oxide, including, but not limited to, tungstenoxide.

For illustrative purposes only, the concentration of the anodic andcathodic materials can range from approximately 1 millimolar (mM) toapproximately 500 mM and more preferably from approximately 2 mM toapproximately 100 mM. While particular concentrations of the anodic aswell as cathodic materials have been provided, it will be understoodthat the desired concentration may vary greatly depending upon thegeometric configuration of the chamber containing electrochromic medium124.

Electrochromic cells or device sub-assemblies 200 and 300 areconstructed in an analogous manner to complete the final assembleddevice. It will be understood that electrochromic cells or devicesub-assemblies 100, 200, and 300 can optionally be laminated together.In this embodiment of the invention devices are connected to anelectrical power source in a parallel configuration such that the totalapplied potential is an appropriate potential to color one of the cellsin the assembled device. It is further envisioned that the chambers canbe filled with electrochromic media that are different from each other.Thus optical properties, such as color, and thermal properties, such asNIR attenuation, can be adjusted in a relatively straightforward manner.

FIG. 2 depicts multi-cell electrochromic device 20 which comprises aseries of device sub-assemblies 100, 200, and 300 as in FIG. 1, however,in this embodiment the devices are powered in series, thus if each ofthree cells reached its low end transmission level at a potential of 1.2V a potential of 3.6 V (1.2V×3) would be applied. The conductive layerson the substrates between 112 and 314 (i.e. 118 to 320) can be connectedin a variety of ways including metallic clips (e.g. 132, 142, 232, 242,332, and 342) along the edges of the substrates or depositing aconductive layers such as a metal or conductive metal oxide along theedge.

FIG. 3 depicts multi-cell electrochromic device 30 which comprises twosubstrates 412 and 414 with additional substrates between them. Theadditional substrates are coated on both surfaces with transparentconductive coatings, analogous to coating 118 in FIG. 1. As in FIG. 1,the media are powered in parallel thus the potential applied is the sameas for a single cell.

FIG. 4 depicts multi-cell electrochromic device 40 which is similar todevice 30 of FIG. 3, however, in this embodiment the media are poweredin series, thus if each of three cells reaches its low end transmissionlevel at a potential of 1.2 V, a potential of 3.6 V (1.2V×3) is applied.In this configuration the back-to-back conductive layers on theintermediate substrates can again be connected, as in FIG. 2 by metalclips or edge depositing a conductive metallic or metal oxide layer. Theembodiment in FIG. 4 gives the additional ability to completelyencapsulate to intermediate substrates in the perimeter seal asdepicted, however discrete sealing may be done as is shown in FIG. 3.

It will be understood that multi-cell electrochromic devices fabricatedin accordance with the present invention can exhibit a transmittance ofless than approximately 1.5% in a low transmission state, morepreferably less than approximately 1.0% in a low transmission state, andin certain applications a transmittance of less than approximately 0.5%in a low transmission state.

In addition, the multi-cell electrochromic devices of the presentinvention transition upon clearing from a lowest transmission state toapproximately 1% transmission in a shorter period of time than asingle-cell electrochromic device having essentially the same opticalproperties. Moreover, The multi-cell electrochromic devices of thepresent invention transition upon clearing from a lowest transmissionstate to approximately 2% transmission in a shorter period of time thana single-cell electrochromic device having essentially the same opticalproperties.

The invention in any of its embodiments enables one skilled in the artto produce a multi-cell electrochromic device that can clear in ashorter period of time than a single-cell electrochromic device withsimilar optical properties.

While the invention has been described in detail herein in accordancewith certain preferred embodiments thereof, many modifications andchanges therein may be effected by those skilled in the art.Accordingly, it is our intent to be limited only by the scope of theappending claims and not by way of details and instrumentalitiesdescribing the embodiments shown herein.

1. A multi-cell electrochromic device, comprising: a first substratewhich comprises a first side and a second side, wherein the first andsecond sides include electrically conductive material associatedtherewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive materialassociated therewith; a first electrochromic medium contained within afirst chamber positioned between the first and second substrates,wherein the first electrochromic medium comprises: at least one solvent;at least one anodic electroactive material; at least one cathodicelectroactive material; and wherein at least one of the anodic andcathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; a third substratehaving an electrically conductive material associated therewith; asecond electrochromic medium contained within a second chamberpositioned between the first and third substrates, wherein the secondelectrochromic medium comprises: at least one solvent; at least oneanodic electroactive material; at least one cathodic electroactivematerial; and wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodicelectroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein the multi-cellelectrochromic device exhibits a transmittance of less thanapproximately 1.5% in a low transmission state.
 2. The multi-cellelectrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the multi-cellelectrochromic device exhibits a transmittance of less thanapproximately 1.0% in a low transmission state.
 3. The multi-cellelectrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the multi-cellelectrochromic device exhibits a transmittance of less thanapproximately 0.5% in a low transmission state.
 4. The multi-cellelectrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the multi-cellelectrochromic device transitions upon clearing from a lowesttransmission state to approximately 1% transmission in a shorter periodof time than a single-cell electrochromic device having essentially thesame optical properties.
 5. The multi-cell electrochromic deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the multi-cell electrochromic devicetransitions upon clearing from a lowest transmission state toapproximately 2% transmission in a shorter period of time than asingle-cell electrochromic device having essentially the same opticalproperties.
 6. The multi-cell electrochromic device according to claim1, wherein at least one of the multi-cell electrochromic devicesubstrates comprises a thickness of less than approximately 1millimeter.
 7. The multi-cell electrochromic device according to claim1, wherein each one of the multi-cell electrochromic device substratescomprises a thickness of less than approximately 1 millimeter.
 8. Themulti-cell electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein themulti-cell electrochromic device comprises an electrochromic window. 9.The multi-cell electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein asubstrate is coated with a reflective material.
 10. The multi-cellelectrochromic device according to claim 9, wherein the reflectivematerial is selected from the group comprising chromium, ruthenium,rhodium, silver, alloys and/or combinations of the same, and stackedlayers thereof.
 11. The multi-cell electrochromic device according toclaim 10, wherein the multi-cell electrochromic device is anelectrochromic mirror.
 12. The multi-cell electrochromic deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the multi-cell electrochromic device is anaircraft transparency.
 13. The multi-cell electrochromic deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the multi-cell electrochromic devicecomprises a metallic ring around the perimeter.
 14. The multi-cellelectrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein an electrochromicmedium further comprises at least one of a cross-linked polymer matrix,a free-standing gel, and a substantially non-weeping gel.
 15. Themulti-cell electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein at leastone of the first and second electrochromic mediums further comprises atleast one redox buffer.
 16. A multi-cell electrochromic devicecomprising: a first substantially transparent substrate which comprisesa first side and a second side, wherein the first and second sidesinclude electrically conductive material associated therewith; a secondsubstrate having an electrically conductive material associatedtherewith; a first electrochromic medium contained within a firstchamber positioned between the first and second substrates, wherein thefirst electrochromic medium comprises: at least one solvent; at leastone anodic electroactive material; at least one cathodic electroactivematerial; and wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodicelectroactive materials is electrochromic; a third substrate having anelectrically conductive material associated therewith; a secondelectrochromic medium contained within a second chamber positionedbetween the first and third substrates, wherein the secondelectrochromic medium comprises: at least one solvent; at least oneanodic electroactive material; at least one cathodic electroactivematerial; and wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodicelectroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein the multi-cellelectrochromic device exhibits a transmittance of less thanapproximately 1.0% in a low transmission state, and further wherein themulti-cell electrochromic device transitions upon clearing from a lowesttransmission state to approximately 1% transmission in a shorter periodof time than a single-cell electrochromic device having essentially thesame optical properties.
 17. The multi-cell electrochromic deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein at least one of the multi-cellelectrochromic device substrates comprises a thickness of less thanapproximately 1 millimeter.
 18. The multi-cell electrochromic deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein each one of the multi-cell electrochromicdevice substrates comprises a thickness of less than approximately 1millimeter.
 19. The multi-cell electrochromic device according to claim16, wherein an electrochromic medium further comprises at least one of across-linked polymer matrix, a free-standing gel, and a substantiallynon-weeping gel.
 20. An aircraft transparency, comprising: a firstsubstrate, a second substrate, and a third substrate, wherein each oneof the first substrate, the second substrate, and the third substratecomprises at least one electrically conductive material associatedtherewith; a first electrochromic medium contained within a firstchamber positioned between the first and second substrates, and a secondelectrochromic medium contained within a second chamber positionedbetween the first and third substrates, wherein the first and secondelectrochromic mediums comprise: at least one solvent; at least oneanodic electroactive material; at least one cathodic electroactivematerial; and wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodicelectroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein the multi-cellelectrochromic device exhibits a transmittance of less thanapproximately 1.5% in a low transmission state.